Jackson vs Newport News
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Jackson
Newport News
The Verdict
Jackson is 10.9% less expensive than Newport News overall. A household earning $75,000 in Jackson would need approximately $84,146 in Newport News to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Jackson has the same purchasing power as $84,146 in Newport News.
Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $66,848 in Jackson.
Living in Jackson vs Newport News
Housing Costs
Jackson's housing index of 56 is lower Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $125,000 vs $261,000. The $136,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,844 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Jackson compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Jackson and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Jackson vs $470/month in Newport News. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 86 in Jackson and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $344 in Jackson vs $416 in Newport News. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Jackson and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $36,528 in Jackson and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $44,546 and $75,652 respectively. Newport News residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $852/month to housing in Jackson vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Jackson, median rent of $900/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases